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Disappointing On Mcintosh......help

 3 Months ago  I went to NYC and stopped by the WOM  and auditioned several MCintosh gear...........and left a bit disappointed or not impressed...then I told myself   " lets give a second shot"  and went today to a  HIFI store and again Good room accoustics10K speakers , MC Preamp , MC Amplifier........ and again  the same disappointment I felt 3 month earlier.

Is that the "warm" sound people reffer to about Mcintosh?  
The sound is ample, base is powerfull  but the the sound is simply  not to clear, the hights are not too "crisp"  It sounds like the treble is set at 3 and needs to be adjusted at 9 or 10.
It seems like  the sound is  coming through a thin layer of paper ...that is the way I describe that sound.  

Then 20 minutes later I auditioned a Parasound A21+ and a JC5 and the sound was more clear and the highs were crispier

Whats your take on my experience?  or That is the MC "warm sound? 
cydrone

Showing 2 responses by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,162 posts
 

I understand,  Best Buy / Magnolia is one in the same to me .   

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,162 posts
 

I had McIntosh in what I call the "Dark Days" , better known as when Clarion owned them.  I had a C15 and 7100 that I bought used.  They were in exceptional condition and sounded pretty good.   I sold them for 50% more than I paid for them , after enjoying them for 5 years.  What can you buy that does that?  A Ferrari is the only thing I know of that appreciates like that.......

In their darkest hour McIntosh 's entry level stuff was better than most companies top tier and I believe that is still true today.   They have improved over the years since Clarion sold them. A lot

I was trying to see a C22 in person.  Their distributorship is terrible,  not a lot of dealers near me. BEST BUY ??????   Are they kidding?   That really cheapens the brand in my opinion..   The ones that were within  driving distance had none on display.  

I ended up buying a Zesto Leto,  an amazing preamp .....incredible sounding 

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